80% firearms, winter project

[CosmikDebris]

I have been researching the 60/80% firearms kits for some time now, and have decided to give it a go.

The project will be a government model 1911. The task seems to be pretty straightforward. The procedures as well as the pros and cons of the build will be documented and posted.
Here’s one link of many.

http://www.diyguns.com/

[jpsmith123]

I'm wondering if the slide rails can be cut (using the rail cutting tool you can buy specifically for this purpose) by using a cross-slide vise mounted to a drill press, or would you need a small milling machine?

[festergrump]

That sort of thing is okay for very light milling jobs, but the bearings in a drillpress just aren't up to the continuous task of milling on a horizontal axis, especially when dealing with metals.

Even a light duty, cheapo Harbor Freight mill would be worth spending a couple hundred bucks on if any work on the X and Y planes are required. The tolerances of a cheap mill are probably measured more along the lines of 1/100ths instead of 1/1000ths, though. Many light passes and a good set of calipers will be your friend, as always.

Don't be frugal with the bits, either.

[a3990918]

That sort of thing is okay for very light milling jobs, but the bearings in a drillpress just aren't up to the continuous task of milling on a horizontal axis, especially when dealing with metals.

.

Quite right. Also the spindle of most Drill presses uses a Morse Taper, friction fit tool hoolder vs a a locked down(draw bar etc) holder in a mill and/or lathe. Could create a little comotion when you put a little lateral pressure on the drill press and your razor sharp mill tool comes flying out of the spindle at a few hundred RPM and starts bouncing around your work area. :eek:

If you absolutly don't want to buy a mill, I have some plans for converting a drill press to a very light duty mill. Still doesn't address the possibility of the mill flying out but will save the bearings in your DP's quill. If I can find them I'll up load to Rapidshare and post a link.

[a3990918]

If you absolutly don't want to buy a mill, I have some plans for converting a drill press to a very light duty mill. Still doesn't address the possibility of the mill flying out but will save the bearings in your DP's quill. If I can find them I'll up load to Rapidshare and post a link.


Here are the plans I promised. The 1st two are for Drill Press modifications to use as a mill. The last one is an old plan for building a small, bench top horizonal mill that could easily be modified into a vertical mill. Enjoy:D


File; Building a Mill from a Drill.pdf (446 KB)
http://rapidshare.de/files/38052686/Building_a_Mill_from_a_Drill.pdf.html

File; PM DP Mill.pdf (488 KB)
http://rapidshare.de/files/38052687/PM-DP-Mill.pdf.html

File; SN22BenchMill.pdf (174 KB)
http://rapidshare.de/files/38052688/SN22BenchMill.pdf.html

[jpsmith123]

I'm probably going to end up getting a micro mill/drill, such as the one from harbor freight for $320.

BTW, does anyone know if the "mechtech" "pistol to rifle conversion kits" need the slide rails cut in the receiver? I'm guessing they probably do but I'd like to verify it.

http://www.mechtechsys.com/1911.html

[a3990918]

I'm probably going to end up getting a micro mill/drill, such as the one from harbor freight for $320.
http://www.mechtechsys.com/1911.html

Be carefull, these little "Mini-Mills" are notorious for the column flexing(because of the thin wall tube used for the column) while under load, could easily ruin an expensive project.:( They can be made more stable by either filling the tube with cement/concrete with reinforcement or by replacing the column with a thicker wall tube. There are a couple of groups on Yahoo that deal with these. Well worth joining them before spending the money on the mill.